definatalie.com

Years ago photos of one of Google’s US offices circulated the internet and made many cube-dwellers green with envy, hell I was one of them. I’ve just come across photos of Google’s Zurich office… and man, all I can say is I’m totally going to go to them, hand in cap, and ask if they need someone else to draw pretty Google logos every day of the year!!

“Oh, your 9am is downstairs”
“Super, I’ll just TAKE THE SLIDE down to the foyer”
“Rightio then!”

For a while, the most fun thing we had in our lunch room at a former workplace was a ping pong table and a boiling water machine that sporadically dispensed “SURPRISE 3rd degree burns”. Obviously, it was far superior to this lunch room.

“Let’s go brainstorm… but I bags the boat.”

One of my old workmates came up with business hammocks as a motivational tool…

WHAT?! They have them too?!!

Go to the Google Zurich Picassa album to view more!

Sup guys! I thought I’d remind you that you can buy a print of one my illustrations over at RedBubble, including a new series of girly girls in various states of undress (mostly undressed if your computering environment isn’t conducive to naked illustrated chicks). I’m kind of oblivious to nudity in art or design, but I guess some people might like to stay “work safe” as a general rule, so that’s why I posted this image here!

It’s high time for me to get some kind of portfolio up on this website, but I’m having a hard time figuring out which CMS to use. I need something that allows me to post images in a gallery format, as well as post entries to a blog. Hey there’s a hole in the market someone can fill! Quick! Though, if someone’s already come up with a solution to this problem – please let me know!

I hope everyone has had a safe long weekend thus far. There’s one more day left, so don’t go doing anything silly!

So (sew) I’ve been sewing a lot lately. I know this isn’t a sewing blog, but it’s my blog and sewing is at the top of my mind currently! I have been a-hunting for good patterns that I can download online for cheap or free, because I have (now, had!) a huge fabric stash and I needed clothes. Coming up I have a cellar afternoon (read: a boozy day with my aunties), hen’s night and wedding rehearsal and I don’t want to look shabby!

I have made two dresses using the FREE Burda Tunic dress pattern, available from the Burda site, but only after grading it up! I’m lucky because I have a pretty good understanding of pattern making and altering patterns doesn’t scare me! The dress is so insanely comfortable that I might make one for every day of the week. My favourite version of the dresses I made from this pattern is in a medium weight stretch cotton poplin with a brown retro print. I refer to it as my muumuu (lovingly, natch!)

The next dress I made was New Look 6643 – a simple a-line sheath dress with subtle cap sleeves. It’s a snap to make and so utterly flattering!!! I absolutely ADORE this pattern and can’t stop raving about it. The beautiful thing is that it’s so simple, you can do so many different things to it!

I made it in this fabric – a 3m stash I have been holding on to for months and months because I adore it so much. The print is loud, bold and retro so to avoid looking like a plump go-go dancer, I have to make sure I lay off the backcombing and my black shiny boots (sadly, I love both) and apply leggings and ballet flats!

My next project will be the newly released “Shakira” dress from Burda Style! It’s the first dedicated plus sized pattern on Burda Style, and I’m excited!

It’s funny that I’m getting in to dresses finally, and it’s coming in to Winter in Australia. Luckily in my city Winter isn’t so harsh and the sun shines all day and the skys are blue; you actually catch lots of women wearing dresses and skirts to catch some sun on their legs when the winds are cold! (Cold by our standards, of course!)

I came across an incredible artist named Chelsea Green Lewyta on Behance when I first joined it myself. She has a beautiful illustrative style that reminds me of the illustrations in books I read when I was little.

She is selling a few one off canvas prints at the moment, and I honestly wish I wasn’t the struggling creative that I am right now because I’d buy one of these so hard!! Check out this gallery on Behance - there are a few pieces left for sale, if you’re interested go to her website and get her email address!

I’ve been on a bit of a mission to find cufflinks for the groom and his merry men for the wedding. I uncovered a motherlode of rad cufflinks for non-traditional grooms/men (or if your traditional groom wants to use his sleeve to rebel a little!) All prices are in USD.

Nerd Groom

Left to right: Pac Man Cufflinks by beaujangles, $48; Arcade Token Cufflinks by dmented, $35; Shadow Storm Trooper Helmet Cufflinks by Cufflinks, $27.99.

Steampunk Groom

Left to right: Steampunk Watch Cufflinks by Rivkasmom, $55; Vintage Typewriter Key Cufflinks by KeysAndMemories, $20; Steampunk Watch Parts Cufflinks by edmdesigns, $55.

Stylish Groom

Left to right: Snakeskin / Silver Cufflinks by depd, $60; Palm Wood Cufflinks by lotusjewelrystudio, $95; Brownie Cufflinks by ChicLinks, $75.

Graphic Groom

Left to right: Fleur de Lis Cufflinks by gurlygirl, $58; Bubbles of Love Cufflinks by deboradestefanis, $38; Awesome Porcelain Octopus Cufflinks by lusterbunny, $25.

Now I just have to decide…

I found this talented jewellery designer on craftster.org and followed her to her Etsy store where I found some amazing pieces. I love seeing jewellery that is a little bit different, but in most cases the end product is something I would never usually wear. The pieces of jewellery designed and created by Nikki of Lace Print Ring (bottom left), but don’t tell anyone because I want to buy it for myself once the wedding is out of the way!! AND, did you see the Brownie badge ring? OMG flashbacks!

Does anyone else whisper “White Rabbit” (or “Rabbit Rabbit”) to themselves upon waking on the first of a month? It’s a silly habit I have from when I was a kid, when my mum would jump out and try to deliver a pinch and a punch for the first day of the month.

“But I said White Rabbit! You can’t pinch and punch me!” we usually protested.

Even now, when mum lives in a different suburb, I’m still worried about someone jumping out and surprising me with a pinch and a punch!!

Superstitions aside, today marks six weeks until my wedding! I’m a little bit worried that something will undo all the careful planning and good organisation that I’ve accomplished so far, but most people tell me to stop being so negative. My dress is on track; the seamstress is awaiting the pleating to come back from her pleating people and once it has arrived my dress will be almost finished! The bridesmaid dresses are going to look amazing… I’m astounded at what good taste I have! Basically, it’s my job to think up a concept and bring it into being, but this was my first time designing dresses (my own and the bridesmaids’) and now that they are taking form I’m thrilled to bits!!

Life is very hectic at the moment with all the wedding planning, small freelance projects and events that are unfolding. In some dreadful news, my nana is very ill in hospital at the moment. I can only hope that if she is strong enough she can make it to the wedding to see me in my dress.

Semi-Permanent is coming to Brisbane on April 12! I am so excited, but nervous about being able to factor it into our very wedding impacted budget. I have been wanting to go to one of these events for a long time!! It is a week before the wedding, and I’m not sure if attending would be silly of me. I really want to be around other creatives even if just for a day… freelancing is so isolated!